Indigenous music mentors rewarded with award

Long road: Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunipingu and Michael Hohnen at the ARIA Awards in Sydney in 2008.

Lisa Maree Williams: Getty Images

Two Indigenous music mentors have been jointly named as the Northern Territory Australian of the Year.

Mark Grose and Michael Hohnen are the co-founders of Darwin-based record label Skinnyfish music, which has promoted and connected Indigenous performers with mainstream music markets for the past 14 years.

Their efforts have been recognised at an award ceremony in Darwin.

Mr Grose says he's "over the moon" to win the award with Mr Hohnen.

He says their success is due to the diversity and talent of the musicians they have worked with, from East Timor to Tasmania.

"The thing that propelled us nationally was the success of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu," he said.

"It's not so much his success ... it is what it has done for him and his community, his culture and his music.

"He is recognised nationally, and there's much greater love and appreciation of Indigenous culture and language."

"For us, it is all about trying to support the incredible artists, and the culture and the communities that we work with across the Top End of Australia but also around Australia."

Indian-born Dr Sadhana Majajani has been named the Territory's Senior Australian of the Year for her work as a Darwin community physician over 40 years.

Singer and actor Jessica Mauboy is the Territory's Young Australian of the Year, for her work in promoting reconciliation, multiculturalism and healthy living.